Plant cultivation system

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for the indoor and outdoor cultivation of larger fruiting plants. Improved lighting techniques, plant layouts, and space utilization are provided to improve the quality and yields of harvested products from large fruiting plants on a per plant and unit area basis. The uniformity of artificial light is improved from the top to the bottom of tall plants and vines, and overcome the lack of light penetration through the canopy of the plant by changing the orientation of lights from a horizontal to vertical alignment along the side of the plant verses over the top of the canopy, as well as increasing the number of light sources to reduce shading. Plants are trained to grow in specific directions and orientations in a grid system to enable an optimal and uniform light distribution and to improve space utilization in a given growing area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/516,502, filed Jul. 19, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,993,381 issued May4, 2021, that in turn is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/US2018/014697, filed Jan. 22, 2018, that in turn claims priority ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/448,614, filed Jan. 20, 2017,the aforementioned priority applications are hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of agriculture, andmore specifically to a system and method for improving yields of largerfruiting plants.

BACKGROUND

The cultivation of larger fruiting plants generally results in a lack oflight penetration into and through the upper portion or canopy of theplant to the lower regions of the plant. Light penetration to the lowerportion of the plant is necessary in order to stimulate photosynthesisand therefore growth on the lower portion of the plant so as to increasehealth and yield. Fruit or flower sets are nonexistent on plant siteswhere light does not reach, else the fruit or flower sets are severelyweakened and not viable for sale.

The use of artificial light sources in indoor cultivation differs fromnatural sunlight in that light from the sun does not diminish overdistances. Plants illuminated by the sun receive the same amount oflight at the bottom of the plant as the top of the plant as measured inlumens. Light sources for indoor cultivation are generally mounted abovethe canopy and have a drop off of light intensity of the reciprocal ofthe square of the distance between the light source and a given point.Shorter plants, around one foot tall, usually do not have an issue withlight diminishment from top to bottom of the plant. However, problemsarise when dealing with taller plants or vines. For example, themeasurement of light received at the bottom of a six foot tall plantwith an artificial light mounted two feet above the canopy will have anintensity close to thirty five times less than the light received at thecanopy level. Table 1 illustrates typical light measurements in lumensfor an artificial light source.

TABLE 1 Light density distribution for artificial light. Feet from bulblumens 1 140000 2 70000 top of plant 3 35000 4 17500 5 8750 6 4375 72187.5 bottom of plant 8 1093.75

It is also noted that even in instances where balanced illumination (asmeasured in lumens) is provided to the plant canopy there is still theissue of light penetration through the upper canopy of leaves to lowerregions of the plant. On smaller plants, this is not an issue becausethe fruit is not far from the outer edges of the plant, however on a sixfoot tall and six foot wide plant the inner fruit sets often suffer fromboth a lack of illumination as well as shading of fruit sets from theouter canopy that causes the fruit to suffer in terms of quality, vigor,and overall development.

Thus, there exists a need for improved lighting techniques and plantlayouts to improve the quality and yields per plant and the number ofplants for a given area for cultivation of larger fruiting plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cultivation system is provided that includes one or more cells whereeach cell has a series of walls that are vertical cages or mesh thathold a set of branches of a plant in a trained or splayed position via aset of securements. A plant growing container for cultivating the plantis in each of the one or more cells, with one or more vertical lightingelements positioned in the one or more cells providing illuminationalong a vertical axis of the plant; and a horizontal lighting elementpositioned above the canopy of the plant.

A method of using a cultivation system includes placing a plant in agrowth container and positioning the growth container in a cell. Thebranches of the plant are splayed by securing the branches to the seriesof walls of the cell. One or more vertical lights are adjusted toprovide uniform illumination to a vertical axis of the plant, and thecanopy of the plant is illuminated with a horizontal light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further detailed with respect to the followingdrawings that are intended to show certain aspects of the present ofinvention, but should not be construed as limit on the practice of theinvention, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a single cell in a cultivation systemin accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are a top view and a side view, respectively, ofvertical lighting elements used in the single cell of FIG. 1A inaccordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a four cell cultivation system in accordancewith embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a plant splayed and attached to a vertical cageor mesh in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a plant trained in a cube in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a plant trained in a cube with horizontal andvertical lighting elements also shown in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a multi-cell cultivation system showing thepositioning of horizontal and vertical lighting elements in accordancewith embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top and side views, respectively, showing verticallight configurations in a cell in accordance with embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 8A-8D are top views of square, rectangular, octagon, and circularcell cages, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a large floor plan of a cultivationsystem in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 10A-10C are a series of photographs illustrating a cultivationsystem with the vertical cage or mesh wall supported by verticalsupports that are secured to the ceiling in accordance with embodimentsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has utility as a system and method for the indoorand outdoor cultivation of larger fruiting plants. Embodiments of theinventive system and method provide improved lighting techniques, plantlayouts, and space utilization to improve the quality and yields ofharvested products from large fruiting plants on a per plant and unitarea basis. Embodiments of the invention improve the uniformity ofartificial light from the top to the bottom of tall plants and vines.Embodiments of the invention overcome the lack of light penetrationthrough the canopy of the plant by changing the orientation of lightsfrom a horizontal to vertical alignment along the side of the plantverses over the top of the canopy, as well as increasing the number oflight sources to reduce shading. Non-limiting examples of artificiallight sources illustratively include high pressure sodium, metal halide,ceramic metal halide, compact fluorescent; T12, T8, T5, high output T5fluorescent tubes and bulbs; plasma, mercury vapor, light emitting diode(LED), duel arc bulbs, double ended bulbs, light emitting ceramic (LEC),incandescent, halogen, and gaseous discharge.

Furthermore, in embodiments of the inventive cultivation system, plantsare trained to grow in specific directions and orientations in a gridsystem to enable an optimal and uniform light distribution to reach allparts of the plant and to improve space utilization in a given growingarea.

Lighting is normalized to all parts of plant by vertically aligninglights and splaying or “espalier” of the plant to the grid formed withvertical cages or mesh with securements to allow the light to penetrateto all parts of the plant for maximum fruit production along withuniversal quality amongst all fruit bared by the plant. In specificembodiments, the vertical cages may be formed of plastic fencing, steelfencing, concrete remesh, string, and wire. In specific embodiments, thesecurements may be tie wraps or pieces of wire. Training of plant growthfurther includes selective pruning of the plant and removal of excessfan leaves were applicable per conventional techniques of espalier.Non-limiting examples of plants that have been seen to benefit fromembodiments of the inventive cultivation system illustratively includetomatoes, peppers, raspberries, and miracle fruit trees.

Embodiments of the inventive cultivation systems may be used withvarious nutrient application systems and with environmental controls.Non-limiting examples of environmental parameters controlled inembodiments of the inventive cultivation system illustratively includetemperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels,temperatures at fruit sites, and entry and exhaust of air in the growingarea. Non limiting examples of plant growing containers and irrigationand nutrient delivery systems operable with the inventive cultivationsystem illustratively include undercurrent systems, ebb and flowsystems, flood tables, buckets, nursery pots, bags, plastic bags, fabricbags (smartpots), nutrient film techniques, mpb bucket system, and netand mesh pots. Non-limiting examples of growing mediums for the plantsgrown with embodiments of the inventive cultivation systemillustratively include pea gravel, coco coir, perlite, grow rocks, clay,soil, water, grow cubes, and mats.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a singlecell 10 of a cultivation system. It is appreciated that a cultivationsystem is made up of one or more cells 10. The cell 10 has a series ofwalls 12 that are vertical cages or mesh that hold the branches BR ofthe plant P in a splayed position. The plants P grow from a plantgrowing container and/or irrigation and nutrient delivery system 14. Ina specific embodiment the height of the cell wall as represented by X isbetween one and ten feet, and the width of the cell as represented by Ais between one and five feet. FIGS. 1B and 1C are a top view and a sideview, respectively, of vertical lighting elements 16 used in the singlecell of FIG. 1A. The vertical lighting elements 16 are centered in thecell 10 and hang downward from wires as best seen in FIG. 1C in acascade. One or more vertical lighting elements 16 may be in a cell 10.FIG. 2 is a top view of a four cell cultivation system. FIG. 3 is a sideview of a plant P splayed and the branches BR attached to a verticalcage or mesh 12 supported by vertical supports 18. FIG. 4 is a top viewof a plant P trained in a cube. FIG. 5 is a side view of a plant Ptrained in a cube with horizontal lighting 20 and vertical lightingelements 16. FIG. 6 is a top view of a multi-cell cultivation systemarranged in a grid showing the positioning of horizontal 20 and verticallighting 16 elements in relation to the plants P. FIGS. 7A and 7B aretop and side views, respectively, showing vertical light 16configurations in a cell. FIGS. 8A-8D are top views of square,rectangular, octagon, and circular cell cages, respectively, that arearranged in various multi-cell layouts. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8D plantgrowth may be controlled in directions (espalier) not only along linearcourse, but arranging three or more walls 12 together to maketriangular, square and other polyhedral shapes that are nourished viathe middle area. FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a large floor plan ofa multi-cell cultivation system.

FIGS. 10A-10C are a series of photographs illustrating a cultivationsystem 30 set up in a large room with the vertical cage or mesh walls 12supported by vertical supports 18 that are secured to the ceiling 24with mounts 22. The vertical supports 18 may be configured to screw intoor snap into the mounts 22. It is appreciated that the mounts 22 mayalso be placed in the floor. In a specific inventive embodiment, themounts 22 may be placed in the walls of a growing room for plants thatgrow horizontally illustratively including vines. Also, visible in FIGS.10A-10C are the vertical lights 16 hanging from the ceiling 24. In FIG.10B the vertical lights 16 may be seen in a cascaded arrangement. Plantgrowing containers 14 are supplied with water and optionally otherliquid or soluble nutrients via a network of irrigation tubing 26.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of thedescribed embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detaileddescription will provide those skilled in the art with a convenientroadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplaryembodiments. It should be understood that various changes may be made inthe function and arrangement of elements without departing from thescope as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalentsthereof.

1. A cultivation system comprising: one or more rectilinear cells filling a two dimensional space where each cell has a series of walls that are vertical cages or mesh that hold a set of branches of a plant in a trained or splayed position via a set of securements; a plant growing container for cultivating the plant in each of the one or more cells; one or more vertical lighting elements positioned in the one or more cells providing illumination along a vertical axis of the plant; and a horizontal lighting element positioned above the canopy of the plant.
 2. The cultivation system of claim 1 wherein the vertical lighting elements and the horizontal lighting elements are one or more of: high pressure sodium, metal halide, ceramic metal halide, compact fluorescent; T12, T8, T5, high output T5 fluorescent tubes and bulbs; plasma, mercury vapor, light emitting diode (LED), duel arc bulbs, double ended bulbs, light emitting ceramic (LEC), incandescent, halogen, or gaseous discharge.
 3. The cultivation system of claim 1 wherein the vertical cages are formed of at least one of plastic fencing, steel fencing, concrete remesh, string, or wire.
 4. The cultivation system of claim 1 wherein the vertical cages are hung from a ceiling.
 5. The cultivation system of claim 4 further comprising a series mounts in the ceiling where a set of vertical supports are adapted to screw into or snap into the mounts to support the vertical cages.
 6. The cultivation system of claim 1 further comprising a nutrient application system.
 7. The cultivation system of claim 6 wherein the plant growing container and the nutrient application system is one of: undercurrent systems, ebb and flow systems, flood tables, buckets, nursery pots, bags, plastic bags, fabric bags (smartpots), nutrient film techniques, mpb bucket system, net pots, or mesh pots.
 8. The cultivation system of claim 1 further comprising environmental controls that control temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels, temperatures at one or more fruit sites on the plant, and entry and exhaust of air in the one or more cells.
 9. The cultivation system of claim 1 wherein the plant growing container further comprises a growing medium.
 10. The cultivation system of claim 9 wherein the growing medium is at least one of pea gravel, coco coir, perlite, grow rocks, clay, soil, water, grow cubes, and mats.
 11. The cultivation system of claim 1 wherein the one or more cells have the series of walls arranged in at least one of triangular, square, and other polyhedral shapes.
 12. A method of using the system of claim 1 comprising: placing a plant in a growth container and positioning the growth container in a cell; splaying the branches of the plant and securing the branches to the series of walls of the cell; adjusting the one or more vertical lights to provide uniform illumination to a vertical axis of the plant; and illuminating the canopy of the plant with the horizontal light.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising training growth of the plant and selective pruning of the plant and removal of excess fan leaves. 